Almost everything in our online catalogue is held in stock, so orders are dispatched within 48 hours as standard, and same-day dispatch is available on request if you order before 1pm UK time. 

UK delivery is free. International orders travel by DHL Express (INCO terms DAP) on a flat rate set by destination region — with a higher rate for bulky coiled items.

We can ship by FEDEX and UPS, but these do incur additional charges above the flat rates. 

How quickly does Advent dispatch orders?

Advent dispatches in-stock orders within 48 hours of receiving them. Almost every item in the online catalogue is held in stock at our Oxford facility, which is why dispatch is measured in hours rather than weeks. 

If you need an order to leave the same working day, ask us for same-day dispatch and place the order before 1pm UK time.

If an item is not in stock, we send you a forecast dispatch date rather than leaving the order silent. Forecasts are given in good faith and are our best estimate at the time, but they are not guaranteed dates.

We try to send each order as a single shipment, but we may split it where doing so gets the majority of your materials to you sooner.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery time depends on the destination.

The times below are DHL transit times and start from dispatch, not from when you place the order.

Transit times are typical, not guaranteed. Customs clearance and restricted or hazardous materials can each add time to an international delivery.

Customs raises an invoice for import VAT, payable by the receiver (customer). DHL pays this on the receiver's behalf and then invoices the receiver.

• If the receiver has a DHL account, the charge is billed to that account and the goods are delivered without delay.
• If the receiver doesn't have an account, the invoice must be paid before customs will release the goods for delivery. DHL charge a small admin fee for this service. 

How much does shipping cost?

UK delivery is free on every order. 

International orders are charged a flat rate set by destination region, so the cost does not change with the value or the weight of your order. There are two rates per region: a standard rate, and a higher rate for volumetric items such as coils, which take up disproportionate space in transit.

See shipping costs for the current fees: https://www.advent-rm.com/en-gb/information/shipping-costs

Your shipping charge is shown in full at checkout before you pay. There are no handling surcharges applied afterwards, with the single exception of hazardous goods, which are covered further down this page.

Can I get a faster delivery

Yes. Two things can be brought forward independently: how fast the order leaves us, and how fast it travels.

• Same-day dispatch. Ask for it when you order and we will dispatch the same working day, provided the order reaches us early in the day and preferably before 1pm UK time. Tell us at the point of ordering rather than afterwards.

• Timed UK delivery. Pre-9am and pre-12pm delivery are available on UK orders depending on the destination, for an additional charge of approximately £15 on items under 1kg. 

• International express. All export orders already travel by DHL Express as standard. If you have a deadline, tell us the date when you order and we will confirm whether it is achievable before we ship.

If your work is time-critical, call us on +44 1865 884440 or email info@advent-rm.com rather than leaving a note in the order comments. We would rather confirm a date with you than have you find out at delivery.

Can I use my own courier account?

Yes. If your institution has a negotiated account with DHL, FedEx or UPS, Advent can ship your order on it. 

Provide us with the carrier name and your account number when you place the order, and we will bill the freight to your account instead of charging our standard shipping rate.

• Tell us before dispatch. Once an order has been booked on our own account we cannot transfer it retrospectively.
  
  
• Your account, your terms. Transit time, service level and any surcharges are governed by your agreement with the carrier, not ours. We cannot see or influence the rate you are charged.
  
  
• Hazardous goods still carry our handling charge. Dangerous goods need compliant packing and documentation, whoever moves the shipment, so the packing and documentation charge still applies. 
  
  
• Non-DHL carriers. If your account is with FedEx, UPS or another carrier, you can book the collection with them, or we can do so on your behalf. We will have your order packed and ready for the date you give us, so tell us the collection date when you place the order.

If you order by purchase order, please put the carrier and account number on the PO so our dispatch team has them on file.

How do I track my order?

You receive an email from Advent and a DHL tracking number by email as soon as your order is dispatched. DHL will send their standard notifications. Enter it at dhl.com to see live progress and the current delivery estimate.

If you have not received a tracking number and your order was placed more than two working days ago, contact us at info@advent-rm.com with your order number and we will check the status for you.

Customs, VAT and import duties

Orders shipped outside the United Kingdom may attract import VAT, duty and customs charges in the destination country. These are set by the destination country, not by Advent, and they are not included in the shipping rate you pay at checkout (INCO terms DAP).

Oversees Shipments

Shipments to EU member states, USA, Japan and rest of world   are subject to VAT at the point of receipt. 

DHL pays this on your behalf at import and then invoices you for the amount, usually with an administration fee added. The invoice comes from DHL, not from Advent. 

Paperwork Provided

Every export shipment travels with a commercial invoice showing the material, its form, quantity, value, customs tariff codes, weight (kgs) and country of origin. 

Certificates of Conformity and safety data sheets are available on request — ask before you order if your institution needs them attached to the shipment rather than sent separately. Certificates are chargable per item. 

These certificates specify the material ordered and include all chemical and mechanical test data for the item, along with the specific batch number. Each certificate references the invoice number and delivery note number for the shipment, tying all the paperwork together.

Hazardous, Dual Use materials and export licences

Some materials in the Advent catalogue are classified as dual-use and are handled differently for overseas shipments only. 

Beryllium and Zirconium require a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL). These are highly regulated as dual-use materials due to their applications in nuclear technology, defense, and aerospace. 

Advent applies to HMRC on the customers behlaf, and the customer is required to fill in an end-user application form. This process can take 10–20 days once lodged with HMRC.

Some destinations are restricted. Air transport rules restrict certain classes of material to specific routes or exclude them altogether. We will tell you before we take payment if your destination is affected.

Sustainable shipping: Advent is a DHL GoGreen Plus partner

Advent Research Materials is a certified GoGreen Plus partner with DHL Express. 

Shipments sent under the programme carry the GoGreen stamp on the airway bill, which shows that the carbon emissions of that shipment have been reduced through the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in place of conventional jet fuel.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from waste oils and delivers a reduction of up to 80% in greenhouse gas emissions across its lifecycle compared with conventional jet fuel. 

DHL Express supplies it through partnerships with bp and Neste, and GoGreen Plus sits within DHL's wider commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. DHL Express was the first global express courier to offer the option to its customers.

Damaged, delayed or missing shipments

Check your shipment on arrival. Claims for damage in transit, shortages or non-delivery must be made to Advent in writing within seven days of delivery. 

Email info@advent-rm.com with your order number, photographs of the packaging and the material, and a description of the problem. Do not handle the material with bare hands. 

We can not accept returns that have been contaminated. 

Returns

Goods cannot be returned without prior permission from Advent. Contact us before sending anything back. Where a return is agreed for a catalogue item ordered in error, a restocking charge applies.  This will be a minimum of £35 or 25% of the net invoice value, whichever is the greater. 

For special orders, the cancellation charge will depend on the product ordered and the circumstances. Depending how far advanced production is at the time of cancellation, the cancellation fee could be as high as 100% of the order value or invoice value.

Full terms are in our Terms & Conditions.

Frequently asked questions

1. How long does Advent take to ship an order?

Advent dispatches in-stock orders within 48 hours of receiving them, and same-day dispatch is available on request for orders placed before 1pm UK time. Almost every catalogue item is held in stock in Oxford. Transit time after dispatch depends on the destination — see the delivery times table above.

2. Does Advent offer free delivery?

Yes. Delivery within the United Kingdom is free on all orders. International orders are charged a flat rate by destination region, starting at £45, shown in full at checkout before you pay.

3. How much does international shipping cost?

UK delivery is free.

Overseas, Advent charges a flat rate set by destination region rather than by order weight or value. Items shipped as a coil carry a higher rate because of their volumetric weight. See Shipping Costs for the latest prices. 

4. Which courier does Advent use?

Advent ships all export orders by DHL Express courier. UK orders are dispatched by DHL Express or Royal Mail Special Delivery. 

5. Does Advent ship internationally?

Yes. Advent ships high purity metals, alloys and polymers worldwide from Oxford, England to research institutions and manufacturers in over 85 countries.

6. Is there a minimum order value at Advent?

No. Advent has no minimum order value. Any item listed in the online catalogue can be ordered in the quantities shown, however small, and UK delivery remains free on every order. Materials not listed in the catalogue are quoted individually on request.

7. Do I pay VAT or import duty on an order shipped from the UK?

Orders delivered within the UK include UK VAT where applicable. Orders shipped to the EU are subject to import VAT in the destination country, which DHL pays at import and then invoices to you, usually with an administration fee. Customers outside the EU should expect their own country's import duty and tax to apply. These charges are set by the destination country and are not included in Advent's shipping rate.

8. Can I track my Advent order?

Yes. A DHL tracking number is emailed to you when your order is dispatched. Enter it at dhl.com for live tracking and a delivery estimate.

9. How do I check my order status?

Email info@advent-rm.com with your order number, or call +44 (0) 1865 884440 during UK business hours. Once your order has been dispatched, the DHL tracking number in your dispatch email gives you live status directly.

10. Can Advent deliver faster than standard?

Yes. Same-day dispatch is available on request for orders placed before 1pm UK time. Pre-9am and pre-12pm timed delivery is available within the UK depending on the destination, for an additional charge of approximately £15 on items under 1kg. Ask for either when you place the order.

11. Can Advent ship hazardous or dangerous goods?

Yes, subject to conditions. Some materials are restricted on certain routes; Advent will tell you before taking payment if your destination is affected.

12. Do I need an export licence for my order?

Some materials and destinations require an export licence or other government approval. Advent applies for the licence where one is needed and keeps you informed, but the export order remains conditional on that approval being granted, and licensing timescales are set by the issuing authority.

13. What happens if my order arrives damaged?

Report damage, shortages or non-delivery in writing to Advent within seven days of delivery, with your order number and photographs of the packaging and material. Keep the original packaging until the claim is resolved.

14. Can I return materials to Advent?

Only with prior permission. Contact Advent before returning anything. Catalogue items returned because they were ordered in error carry a restocking charge. Materials produced or cut specifically for an order cannot typically be returned.

15. Does Advent ship sustainably?

Advent Research Materials is a certified GoGreen Plus partner with DHL Express. Shipments sent under the programme use Sustainable Aviation Fuel in place of conventional jet fuel and carry the GoGreen stamp on the airway bill. SAF is produced from waste oils and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% across its lifecycle compared with conventional jet fuel.

16. What is DHL GoGreen Plus?

GoGreen Plus is a DHL Express service that reduces the carbon emissions of a shipment by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel instead of conventional jet fuel. It forms part of DHL's commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, and DHL Express was the first global express courier to offer it. Advent Research Materials is a certified GoGreen Plus partner.

17. Can I collect my order from Advent in person?

Yes, by prior arrangement only. Advent is based in Eynsham, Oxford, and collection can be arranged in advance by phone or email. It cannot be done on an unannounced visit. Contact Advent to arrange a collection time and wait for confirmation that your order is ready before travelling.

18. Does Advent ship to home or residential addresses?

Yes. DHL requires a signature, so the customer would have to be home to sign for the goods.